International Co-operative Alliance

The International Co-operative Alliance is an independent, non-governmental organization created in 1895 to unite, represent and serve co-operatives worldwide. It provides a global voice and forum for knowledge, expertise and coordinated action for and about cooperatives.

The International Co-operative Alliance is promoting the cooperative identity by developing and propagating a joint cooperative brand (visible below) and .coop domain on the web. This unified identity strengthens ties between the actors of the co-operative movement and strengthens the position of the co-operative business model in different sectors. CMC acts as a representative of the Canadian co-operatives with ICA, and helps to promote adoption of the brand and .coop domain in Canada.

The co-operative brand and .coop domain are symbols of the global co-operative movement and our values; together, they demonstrate our unity and represent the co-operative principles. By aligning with this brand and using the .coop domain thousands of organizations around the world are creating visibility for co-operatives and strengthening our distinct business model.

The development of this identity lies at the centre of the objectives of the ICA's Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade, the main strategy of the organization that aims to make the co-operative a model leading business.

The ICA has also produced a Communications Guide on Co-operative Identity. This document provides a few pages of information facilitating use of the co-operative identity.